As heat wave scorches, Maryland county preps for water restrictions

High temps have been scorching the East, taking hold in cities where asphalt and buildings hold on to the heat. Adding insult to injury, Maryland’s Prince George’s County, a water main break will interrupt service for days. NBC’s Stephanie Gosk reports.

Weather

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>>>now we turn to the weather conditions again making news tonight. specifically this now dangerous heat consuming a huge part of the country. somewhat unbelievably, parts of now 43 states out of 50 are expected to reach highs of 90 or more by this evening. nbc's
stephanie
gosk following it all from outside
independence hall
in philly tonight,
stephanie
, good evening.

>>good evening, brian. here's a fact a lot of people don't realize. there are more deaths in this country from heat every year than from floods, hurricanes, tornados. and lightning combined. this
heat wave
continues. it just gets more dangerous. searing, sweating summer.

>>how are you guys holding up in this heat?

>>it's really warm.

>>you look like you're really warm?

>>i'm melting, actually.

>> reporter: heat advisories and warnings were issued in a dozen states, creating dangerous conditions for days to come. in philadelphia, the largest
senior center
is extending its hours.

>>our biggest concern is that a lot of our older adults are dealing with health issues. and they can be compromised as a result of the heat.

>> reporter: especially when there's no chance to cool down, not even at night. low temperatures in some cities aren't dipping below 80. putting a tax on people and infrastructure.

>>the cities hold on to the heat because of the asphalt, buildings and concrete. the temperatures don't drop off very much. we start out high
early in the morning
, and then the heat builds on top of that.

>>adding insult to injury, a
water main
break will interrupt service for days.

>>it's a big inconvenience. i'm trying to prepare me and my family for it.

>>an estimated 100,000 people are preparing for mandatory
water restrictions
, set to take effect tonight.

>>hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

>> reporter: in new
york city
, a scary moment at a political rally when a young intern collapsed from
heat stroke
. it took
emergency responders
experiencing an influx of weather related calls more than a half hour to show up. in philadelphia, the dogged tourists endured, standing in line for the
liberty bell
. a family from birmingham, alabama said it felt just like home.

>>do you think northerners complain too easily?

>>yeah, you all complain about the heat and we complain about the cold.

>> reporter: tour guide shared a bit of interesting history with us. the
1787constitutional convention
was held here during brutal summer temperatures, they stuck it out in wool pants and no
air conditioning
.